Club members and partners were welcomed to Bentley’s innovative Lineage Experience, which showcases an extraordinary collection of heritage models dating from 1919 to 1939.
The visit began with an overview of the history of Bentley Motors and its founder, Walter Owen Bentley (W.O. Bentley).
Born in 1888 as the youngest of nine children, W.O. Bentley founded the company that bears his name on 10 July 1919. More than a century later, Bentley is recognised worldwide for producing luxury vehicles that combine exceptional performance with unrivalled craftsmanship and the finest materials.
The rich history of Bentley Motors was brought to life through the impressive collection of heritage vehicles housed within the centre.
The Bentley 3 Litre embodies W.O. Bentley’s original vision of creating “a fast car, a good car, the best in its class”. Produced between 1921 and 1929, the model enjoyed considerable
success in motorsport, including victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924 and 1927. One of the highlights of the collection is EXP 2, the second experimental Bentley 3 Litre. It is the oldest surviving Bentley and the first Bentley ever to win a race.
For many enthusiasts, the imposing ’Blower’ Bentley is the most iconic racing Bentley of the pre-war era, forever associated with Bentley Boy Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin. Ironically, the supercharged 4½ Litre was among the least successful of the Cricklewood Bentleys in competition, and W.O. Bentley strongly opposed its development. He believed that fitting a supercharger would compromise reliability and famously predicted that such a car would never win a major race.
History ultimately proved him correct, as no Bentley Blower never secured a major race victory. Nevertheless, its remarkable performance and dramatic appearance earned it legendary status among motorsport enthusiasts.
The collection included the famous 1929 Team Blower No. 2 (UU 5872), which was driven by Tim Birkin at Le Mans in 1930.
Also on display was a 1930 Bentley 8 Litre, widely regarded as W.O. Bentley’s masterpiece. Registration GK 706 served as W.O.’s personal company car and was used for many high-speed journeys to the South of France. Today, the vehicle remains available for occasional use by Bentley’s Managing Director.
The visit also provided an insight into Bentley’s Mulliner Bespoke Department, which is responsible for coachbuilding and the restoration and preservation of Bentley’s ultra-exclusive Heritage Collection. Here, traditional handcraftsmanship is used to maintain and revive some of the marque’s most significant vehicles. The collection is believed to be worth approximately £48 million.
Members then entered the Bentley showroom, which houses many of the latest models alongside a number of exclusive limited-edition vehicles.
Among the highlights was a car, part of a collection of just 18 highly exclusive cars, each valued at approximately £2.1 million.
Also on display was the late Queen Elizabeth II’s personal Bentley, featuring the Royal Crest intricately incorporated into the veneered woodwork of the doors.
We were also able to view Bentley’s latest electric model, with prices starting from approximately £175,000.
The visit provided a fascinating insight into Bentley’s proud heritage and demonstrated the very best of British engineering, craftsmanship and luxury. An exceptional collection of historic and modern vehicles made for an unforgettable experience and a memorable day for all who attended.
